Cross Border Firing Kills 2 Pakistani Children, 3 Indian Soldiers

Islamabad, MINA – At least two Pakistani children and three Indian soldiers have been killed on Wednesday due to cross border firing along the Line of Control (LoC) between the border troops of the two neighboring countries.

According to Pakistan military’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Indian border forces resorted to unprovoked firing along the LoC at Rawalakot and Chirikot Sectors targeting civil population of Kakuta, Chaffar, Serian and Narakot villages.

The mortar rounds fired by Indian forces hit the house of a civilian in village Chaffar, which resulted in martyrdom of two children.

“Pakistan Army posts are effectively engaging Indian posts and there are reports of killing of three Indian soldiers and injuring of five others,” said ISPR.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi strongly condemned the unprovoked firing by Indian security forces and offered condolences to the victims’ families and also lauded the Pakistan security forces for their response to the Indian firing.

On their part, Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) has strongly condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces.

DG South Asia and SAARC in Pakistan FO, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Foreign Office and a strong protest was lodged against Indian ceasefire violations.

He said, “Indian occupation forces have increasingly targeted civilian areas on the Pakistani side, resulting in the shahadats (martyrdom) of 13 civilians, including 6 women, and injuries to 39 others during last two weeks.”

He urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire arrangement; investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations; instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and in spirit and maintain peace on the LoC.

He declared the ceasefire violations by India, a threat to regional peace and security. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)